New Scottish regulations aimed at tackling damp and mould are being introduced in the wake of the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak.
Ministers announced this week that the measures, designed to better protect tenants from damp and mould, are to be laid at Holyrood.
Known as The Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026, the proposals would place new duties on landlords to investigate reports of damp and mould and begin any necessary repairs within a fixed timescale. However, this is subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.
The regulations act as the first step in implementing Awaab’s Law, a legislation named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 from a severe respiratory illness caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s flat in Rochdale.
His death sparked widespread outrage and led to new legislation being passed in England. The law came into force in October 2025 and requires landlords to act within 24 hours in emergency cases and within 10 working days for significant damp and mould problems.
In extreme cases, landlords are expected to move tenants to emergency accommodation.
Scotland’s Housing Secretary, Mairi McAllan, said: ‘Everyone deserves to live in a home free from damp and mould.
‘These regulations will help to ensure that’s the case by requiring any instances to be swiftly investigated by landlords and prompt action taken.’
McAllan said that while ‘90% of homes are free from damp and mould’ in Scotland, the government wanted to make sure ‘everyone is protected’.
‘That’s why we are leading the way in rolling out these protections to both social and private tenants,’ she continued.
‘We have worked closely with tenant groups, landlords and other stakeholders to develop regulations that protect tenants while being practical for landlords to implement.
‘We will also be raising awareness of the importance of identifying and addressing damp and mould issues as quickly as possible.’
Image: Andrew D/UnSplash
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